Events

2018 Calendar of Events

Hashing Over History – Wednesday, January 31 – We will be bringing Norm Wagner back to life with a program he did many years ago on cheese making. Norm was the Town/Village Historian for many years and amazed everyone with his knowledge of the history of the area. A tape was found in his home which was turned into a DVD – in watching it I felt the history he knew was to valuable not to share. Program is free and starts at 10 a.m.

Hashing Over History - Wednesday, February 7 -LuAnne Sweet Rowsam, author of the book “From Snakes and Frogs to Heinekens and Humvees” will share the story of a boy growing up in Alexandria Bay who went into the Army and lost his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This year is the 10th year of his death. Join us to honor and remember this local boy. Program starts at 10 a.m. and is free, however we will be accepting donations to go to the USO on Fort Drum in Jack’s memory.

Hashing Over History – Wednesday, February 14 – Stan Brill, who is a life long resident of Clayton Center, as were his parents, will present a program on Clayton Center and the business his family has had there for generations. Program is free and starts at 10 a.m.

Hashing Over History – Wednesday, February 21 – Raymond “Skip” Couch, whose family were some of the original builders of St. Lawrence skiffs and who has built a skiff himself, will do a presentation on these beautiful boats. Program starts at 10 a.m. and is free.

Hashing Over History - Wednesday, February 28 – Clarence Giles will be doing a presentation on Peter Penet and Penet Square. Join us to learn about this man and how he changed the history of the area. Program starts at 10 a.m. and is free.

Hashing Over History - Wednesday, March 7 – Dennis McCarthy, local diver and author of books on diving, will do a presentation on “River Cannons” – learn about the cannons that have been found and where they now reside. Program is free and starts at 10 a.m.

Hashing Over History - Wednesday, March 14 – Retired Judge Clarence Giles will be entertaining us with humorous stories about weddings he and his father before him presided over. Program is free and starts at 10 a.m.

Hashing Over History - Wednesday, March 21 – Jeff Garnsey will do a presentation on Prohibition and Rum Running on the St. Lawrence River. Program is free and starts at 10 a.m.

Hashing Over History - Wednesday, March 28 – Judy Keeler will be doing a presentation on the hospital at Alexandria Bay from its start in a house to E.J. Noble, then River Hospital and now the addition of the Monticello building. Program is free and starts at 10 a.m.

Sunset History Boat Cruise - Wednesday, June 20th – We will be leaving the Clayton Island Tours dock at 5:30 p.m. for a cruise along the beautiful St. Lawrence River. This Wildlife Tour will highlight the wildlife along the river. Learn the history of the wildlife that was once part of the river scene. Boats fill quickly so call (315) 686-5794 for reservations. Tickets are $27.00 per person.

History at Noon -Wednesday, July 11th – Local diver and author, Dennis McCarthy will be doing a presentation on the History of Carleton Island. Join us to learn about this large island near Cape Vincent.

Sunset History Boat Cruise -Wednesday, July 11th – We will be leaving the Clayton Island Tours dock at 5:00 p.m. for a cruise to Cherry Island to visit the Gilded Age mansion “Casa Blanca”. The owner of this beautiful home will be offering cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Enjoy the cruise, spend an hour touring the house and property and head home to a beautiful river sunset. Boats fill up quickly so call (315) 686-5794 for reservations. Tickets are $40 per person. Length of cruise: 5:00-8:00 (an hour each way and an hour on this island)

History at Noon -Wednesday, July 18th – Bill Christopherson, who was an architect for the New York State Parks system will be presenting a program on the parks and some interesting architectural structures that were and are a part of the parks system.

Sunset History Boat Cruise – Wednesday, July 18th – We will leave Clayton Island Tours dock at 5:30 p.m. for a tour thru Picton channel, passing Picnic and Canoe Point on our way thru the Gananoque Narrows and on to Ivy Lea, returning thru Smugglers Cove, thru the Lost Channel and Benson’s Rift and along the north side of Grindstone. Boats fill quickly so make your reservation by calling (315) 686-5794. Tickets are $27 per person.

50th Annual Decoy/Wildlife Art & Sporting Collectibles Show – Friday, July 20 from 9 am – 6 pm & Saturday, July 21 from 9 am to 4 pm at Cerow Recreation Park Arena. Join us for this special show honoring 50 years of this show.

History at Noon – Wednesday, July 25th – Tom French, author of River Views, a book on stereoviews from the late 1800’s will be doing a presentation of stereoviews of Alexandria Bay and the photographer, A.C. McIntyre. His book will be available for sale after the program.

Sunset History Boat Cruise -Wednesday, July 25th – We will be leaving the Clayton Island Tours dock at 5:30 p.m. for a cruise thru the American Narrows heading towards Alexandria Bay. Join us for this ride on the beautiful St. Lawrence River and learn a little history along the way, returning to Clayton and a beautiful river sunset. Tours book early so call (315) 686-5794 for reservations. Tickets are $27 per person.

History at Noon – Wednesday, August 1st – Local history buff, Brad Minnick will present a program on “The North Country’s Own Hollywood Reporter”, Phyllis Marie Arthur. She chronicled the most famous Hollywood stars at work and at play for Daily Variety and other publications during the industry’s glory days of the 1930s.

Sunset History Boat Cruise -Wednesday, August 1st – Leaving the Clayton Island Tours dock at 5:30 p.m. we will be touring around Grindstone, one of the larger islands in the Thousand Islands. Our tour guide is from the island and will entertain you with island stories and history. Boats fill quickly so make your reservations by calling (315) 686-5794. Tickets are $27 per person.

Sunset History Boat Cruise -Wednesday, August 8th – We will leave the Clayton Island Tours dock at 5:30 p.m. for a tour of the Canadian Admiralty Islands. Join Captain Chuck for one of his favorite tours. Enjoy the beautiful river scenery while learning the history of the area and its people. Tours sell out quickly so make your reservation by calling (315) 686-5794. Tickets are $27 per person.

History at Noon -Wednesday, August 15th – Diver and author, Dennis McCarthy will be doing a presentation on the Lost Fleet. Resting under the waters of the Thousand Islands is a fleet of lost ships. The are casualties of War and Conflict, Natural disasters and Human error. We will be doing a Lost Fleet boat cruise at 5:30 p.m.

Sunset History Boat Cruise -Wednesday, August 15th – We will leave the Clayton Island Tours dock at 5:30 p.m. and head to the sites of the shipwrecks of the Lost Fleet. The wrecks will not be visible as the water is too deep, but there will be a book available for purchase when you board the boat with pictures and information on the ships. Dennis McCarthy, local diver and author will be your tour guide. Boats fill quickly so make your reservation early by calling (315) 686-5794. Tickets are $27 per person

Sunset History Boat Cruise -Wednesday, August 22nd – Join us at the Clayton Island Tours dock for a 5:30 departure. We will be heading for Round Island, site of the Gilded Age “New Frontenac Hotel”. Owned by Charles G. Emery this hotel was one of the largest in the world. It burned down in 1911. Visit the ruins of the hotel, have a postcard hand cancelled at the Frontenac Post Office. Learn the history of Mr. Emery and his wonderful hotel. Tours sell out quickly so make your reservation early. Tickets are $27 per person.

History at Noon -Wednesday, August 29th – Eric Roberts and Andrea Reeves, producers of the documentary “Mysterious Origin of Thousand Island Dressing” will present their documentary which solves this Thousand Islands mystery.

Sunset History Boat Cruise - Wednesday, August 29th – Join us for our last history boat cruise of the season when we head to Canada, touring thru the many islands there while learning the history of the area. Boat leaves the Clayton Island Tours dock at 5:30 p.m. and returns to a beautiful sunset over the river at Clayton. Make reservations by calling (315) 686-5794. Tickets are $27 per person.

Roast Pork Dinner – Friday, November 2nd – Held at Clayton American Legion to benefit the T.I.Museum. Serving starts at 5 pm until all are served. Takeout available at 4:30.